NNSA, Cambodia Sign Statement of Intent for Emergency Management Cooperation

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 -- The U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration issued the following news release:

The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) today announced that it has signed a Statement of Intent (SOI) for Emergency Management Cooperation with Cambodia. In addition, NNSA's Office of Emergency Operations this week is conducting an International Radiological Assistance Program Training for Emergency Response (I-RAPTER) training in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia William E. Todd, Cambodia Senior Minister Om Yentieng and NNSA Associate Administrator for Emergency Operations Joseph J. Krol presided over a ceremony on Feb. 18 to begin the I-RAPTER training.

Thirty-two representatives from the National Counter Terrorism Committee, Ministry of National Defense, Customs Department, Port Authority and Ministry of Industry, Mining and Energy attended the training.

"NNSA looks forward to a long and prosperous cooperation with Cambodia in nuclear and radiological emergency preparedness and response," said Krol.

"This agreement demonstrates our commitment to assist Cambodia with training, information and data exchange, drills and exercises, and some detection equipment as the initial step in our cooperation."

Todd cited the United States' continuing commitment to Cambodia and the importance of U.S.-Cambodian cooperation to prevent nuclear material from entering Cambodia. Om Yentieng affirmed Cambodia's commitment to countering nuclear and radiological terrorism and expressed appreciation for U.S. assistance in developing his country's emergency preparedness and response capabilities.

After the opening, Om Yentieng and Krol signed the SOI, witnessed by Todd, highlighting the positive cooperation between their respective governments.

NNSA and NSTec personnel from Joint Base Andrews and Sandia National Laboratories are conducting the I-RAPTER training, which utilizes radiation detection equipment to locate hidden radioactive sources during a practical exercise. At the conclusion of the course, international first responders should be able to appropriately respond to incidents involving radioactive material.

One of NNSA's primary missions is to ensure the safety, security and reliability of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile without the use of underground nuclear testing. With this expertise, NNSA also provides nuclear emergency response support to local law enforcement, the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI and emergency responders in other countries.

NNSA currently collaborates with more than 80 foreign governments and 10 international organizations on projects ranging from providing assistance in improving emergency preparedness and response programs to joint collaborative activities to improve emergency management infrastructure worldwide.

For more information on NNSA's Office of Emergency Operations, click here.http://nnsa.energy.gov/aboutus/ourprograms/emergencyoperationscounterterrorism

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